Top 10 Platform Engineer Certifications

Certifications for a platform engineer are important for several reasons. First, certifications show employers that the engineer has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the job. Certifications prove an individual’s technical aptitude and commitment to their profession. They also demonstrate that the engineer is up-to-date on technology trends, which is increasingly important in a rapidly changing field like platform engineering. Finally, certifications can provide validation of an individual’s abilities, making them more attractive to potential employers.

The article reviews some of the top certifications for Platform Engineers and explains how they can help to advance their career.

What are Platform Engineer Certifications?

Platform Engineer Certification is a certification program designed to give engineers the necessary skills to design, build, and maintain large-scale distributed systems. It focuses on developing the practical skills needed to build and maintain highly available, secure, and scalable cloud infrastructure solutions. The certification helps engineers become more knowledgeable about cloud computing technologies like virtualization, containerization, storage, networking, security, and automation. It also provides them with the ability to apply these technologies in real-world scenarios. By becoming certified in platform engineering, engineers can demonstrate their knowledge of the various aspects of cloud computing and prove their technical proficiency. Additionally, certification can help engineers advance their careers by validating their expertise in this increasingly important field.

Pro Tip: When applying for platform engineer certification, make sure to highlight your experience with developing and managing distributed systems. Additionally, be prepared to demonstrate a deep understanding of containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, as well as cloud-native architectures and best practices.

Related: What does a Platform Engineer do?

Top 10 Platform Engineer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Platform Engineers today.

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is a certification program designed by Amazon Web Services (AWS) to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in designing, deploying, and operating applications and infrastructure on the AWS platform. This certification is designed for individuals who have at least one year of experience working with AWS services.

The exam typically takes around 80 minutes to complete and consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions. The exam covers a range of topics including: design principles, security considerations, cost optimization strategies, deployment automation techniques, network configuration best practices, and more.

To obtain the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification, you must pass the associated exam. The exam fee is $150 USD. You can register for the exam through the AWS Certification website or through an approved training provider.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official certificate from AWS within two weeks of passing the test. The certificate is valid for three years from the date it was issued.

2. Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification

Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification is a professional certification that validates a person's ability to manage, monitor, and secure Microsoft Azure cloud services. It is designed for IT professionals who have experience in administering Windows Server, Linux, and other cloud-based systems.

The certification exam takes approximately two hours to complete and covers topics such as deploying and configuring virtual machines, managing identities, implementing storage solutions, networking with virtual networks, monitoring and troubleshooting Azure applications, and managing security.

To get the Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification, you must first pass the AZ-103: Microsoft Azure Administrator exam. This exam costs $165 USD. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification within 4-6 weeks.

The cost of the Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification varies depending on which training provider you choose to use. Many providers offer self-paced online courses that range from $200-$1,000 USD depending on the length of time it takes to complete the coursework. Additionally, there are instructor-led courses available that range from $500-$2,500 USD depending on the length of time it takes to complete the coursework.

3. Google Cloud Platform Professional Cloud Architect Certification

Google Cloud Platform Professional Cloud Architect Certification is a professional-level certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, developing, and managing solutions on Google Cloud Platform. It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to build secure and scalable cloud solutions that leverage the full range of Google Cloud services.

It typically takes around 3-4 months to prepare for the exam and pass it. To get the certification, you need to pass the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect Exam. The exam covers topics such as designing highly available and cost-efficient solutions; planning and configuring data storage options; managing user authentication, authorization, and security; deploying applications using containers; monitoring, logging, and diagnosing cloud solutions; and optimizing business processes through automation.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your region. In the US, it costs $200 USD per attempt. You can also purchase practice exams from Google or third-party providers for additional preparation.

4. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program from Red Hat, Inc., the world's leading provider of open source solutions. The RHCSA certification is designed to validate an individual's skills in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It is a hands-on, performance-based exam that tests an individual's ability to perform essential system administration tasks such as configuring local storage, setting up network services, and managing users and groups.

The RHCSA certification requires a minimum of 8 hours of training and practice before taking the exam. Training can be done through self-study or instructor-led courses offered by Red Hat or its authorized training partners. The cost of the training varies depending on the format chosen and can range from $500 to $2,000 USD. After completing the training, individuals must pass a 2-hour exam in order to become certified. The cost of the exam is $400 USD.

Once certified, individuals will have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems and be able to demonstrate their expertise on resumes and job applications. This certification also provides access to Red Hat’s online community where they can get support from other certified professionals and stay up-to-date with new developments in the field.

5. Docker Certified Associate (DCA)

Docker Certified Associate (DCA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of professionals who use Docker technologies. The DCA exam tests a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and best practices related to containerization, Docker Engine, Swarm Mode, Kubernetes, and other related technologies.

The DCA exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. Candidates must score at least 65% to pass the exam.

To get the DCA certification, candidates must first register for an online proctored exam on the Docker website. After registering, they will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule their exam date and time. Once they have scheduled their exam date and time, they will need to create an account on the ProctorU platform in order to take the exam.

The cost of taking the DCA exam is $195 USD.

6. Kubernetes Certified Application Developer (KCAD)

Kubernetes Certified Application Developer (KCAD) is a certification offered by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) that validates an individual’s ability to design, build, configure, and troubleshoot Kubernetes-based applications. This certification demonstrates a professional’s expertise in developing cloud-native applications using Kubernetes.

The KCAD exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as Kubernetes architecture, application deployment and management, networking, security, monitoring and logging, troubleshooting, and more.

To get the KCAD certification, you must pass the CNCF exam with a score of at least 70%. You can register for the exam on the CNCF website. The cost of the exam is $300 USD. Additionally, you must have a minimum of six months experience working with Kubernetes before taking the exam.

Once you have passed the KCAD exam, you will receive an official certificate from CNCF that verifies your knowledge and expertise in developing cloud-native applications using Kubernetes.

7. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Data Center

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Data Center is a professional-level certification program that validates the knowledge and skills required to design, implement, and manage complex data center solutions. The CCNP Data Center certification focuses on the latest technologies used in data centers such as Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS), Cisco Nexus switches, and other related technologies.

It typically takes around 6-12 months of study and preparation to complete the CCNP Data Center certification. To get certified, you must pass two exams: one core exam (300-175 DCUCI or 300-165 DCII) and one concentration exam (300-170 DCVAI or 300-160 DCID). You can also opt for a single exam option which requires you to pass only the core exam.

The cost of the CCNP Data Center certification varies depending on your location and vendor chosen. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$600 per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking an exam such as proctoring fees.

8. VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV)

VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) is a certification that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in the design, deployment, and management of VMware vSphere 6.x environments. It is designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in virtualizing data centers and managing large-scale deployments.

It takes approximately two months to prepare for the VCP6-DCV exam, depending on your experience level and familiarity with the topics covered. To get certified, you must first complete a VMware authorized training course and pass the associated exam. You can then register for the VCP6-DCV exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies by country but typically ranges from $250-$350 USD.

9. CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI

CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who use or administer Linux systems. It is an internationally recognized, vendor-neutral certification that covers the fundamentals of Linux system administration.

The CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI exam consists of two exams: LX0-103 and LX0-104. The exams are offered in English and Japanese, and each exam takes up to 90 minutes to complete. The total cost for both exams is $389 USD.

To get CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI, you must first pass both the LX0-103 and LX0-104 exams with a minimum score of 500 on each exam. Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI certification.

The time it takes to get CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI depends on your preparation level and how quickly you can study for the exams. Generally speaking, it should take between four to six weeks to prepare for the exams if you dedicate yourself fully to studying for them.

10. Citrix Certified Professional – Networking (CCP-N)

Citrix Certified Professional – Networking (CCP-N) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of networking professionals who install, configure, and manage Citrix NetScaler products. The CCP-N certification covers topics such as network architecture, virtualization, traffic management, security, high availability and scalability.

The CCP-N certification requires candidates to pass a single exam which tests their understanding of the relevant technologies used in the deployment of Citrix NetScaler products. The exam consists of 65 multiple choice questions which must be completed within 90 minutes. Candidates are required to achieve a score of 70% or higher in order to pass the exam.

In order to become certified as a CCP-N, candidates must first register for the exam through Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam is $200 USD. Once registered for the exam, candidates should allow up to two weeks for their results to be available. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates will receive an official certificate from Citrix certifying them as a CCP-N.

Do You Really Need a Platform Engineer Certificate?

In today’s world, having a certificate or degree can be beneficial for one's career. However, it is important to consider if the certificate or degree is truly necessary for the job. When considering whether or not to pursue a Platform Engineer Certificate, it depends on the individual’s career goals and current qualifications.

If an individual is already working as a platform engineer and has experience in the field, then they may not need to get certified. Many employers prefer experience over credentials when hiring engineers. However, if an individual is looking to break into the field of platform engineering, then they may benefit from getting certified. A Platform Engineer Certificate could demonstrate that the individual has specialized knowledge in the area and could help them stand out among other applicants when applying for jobs.

Furthermore, certification can also provide an opportunity for professional growth and development. Having a Platform Engineer Certificate could indicate that an individual is committed to their profession and willing to stay up-to-date on industry trends and technologies. It can also open up opportunities for networking with other professionals in the field which could lead to job advancement opportunities down the line.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs a Platform Engineer Certificate depends on their unique situation and career goals. If certification would be beneficial for their career path, then it may be worth pursuing; otherwise it may not be necessary depending on their experience level and current qualifications.

Related: Platform Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Platform Engineer Certifications

Q1. What is a Platform Engineer Certification?

A1. A Platform Engineer Certification is an industry recognized certification that validates a professional’s knowledge and experience in designing, developing, deploying, and managing cloud-native application platforms. It is designed to demonstrate proficiency in the use of cutting-edge technologies such as containers, microservices, serverless computing, DevOps practices, and more.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Platform Engineer?

A2. To become certified as a Platform Engineer, you must first complete an accredited training program or course and then pass an associated certification exam. The specific requirements vary from provider to provider but generally include experience working with cloud-native technologies and hands-on technical skills assessments.

Q3. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Platform Engineer?

A3. Becoming certified as a Platform Engineer can help you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs or promotions. It also demonstrates your commitment to professional development and can open up new career opportunities by giving you access to exclusive certifications from technology vendors like AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, etc.

Q4. What type of jobs can I get with a Platform Engineer Certification?

A4: With a Platform Engineer Certification you can pursue roles such as Cloud Architect/Engineer, DevOps/Platform Automation Engineer, Application Development Manager/Lead Developer/Architect or even Data Scientist/Analyst depending on your experience level and qualifications. These roles involve designing and building robust cloud native applications that are optimized for scalability and performance while leveraging best practices around automation and security protocols.

Q5: Is there any ongoing maintenance required after obtaining my certification?

A5: Yes! Certifications require ongoing maintenance which includes keeping up with new technologies related to the platform engineering field and participating in continuing education programs offered by providers like AWS or GCP to ensure that you stay current with industry trends and best practices.